Yikes!...what color hose??

**Highlander31** · 14th January 10, 11:30 PM

For the Irish National, I think bottle green hose with yellow flashes, or yellow hose with bottle green flashes would work well. Both Jock and Nighthawk like maroon hose. I would try maroon hose with either yellow or black flashes. Not sure about the green tie for dress. I would suggest trying it and see how it looks.

As for the IoS, Glen has demonstrated some nice choices. I would suggest following his lead.

**denmcdough** · 15th January 10, 05:19 AM

Thanks to every response. I like every idea! Too bad I can't wear them all at once. LOL Thanks, too, for the pics.

**OC Richard** · 15th January 10, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by denmcdough

[COLOR="DarkGreen"] I have an Irish National kilt and have worn black and white hose with it. However, I'd like to have input on another color. Any suggestions? I was thinking of bottle green...

Also, I have an Isle of Skye kilt coming... I was thinking of hose color, either light green or purple.

There's a strange visual phenomenon that happens sometimes when hose are a colour that's the same as, or close to, one of the major colours in the tartan: the hose colour sucks the colour right out of the tartan, greatly diminishing the effectiveness of the tartan.

I've seen many Pipe Bands choosing hose that do that.

And it doesn't necessarily have to actually be one of the colours present in the kilt, to have this ruinous effect. Our band wears muted Drummond of Perth kilts, and used to wear white hose and shirts and black waistcoats. It was part of that trend so common in the 1990's when most bands made everything in the uniform except the kilt white or black, which allowed the colours of the tartan to really sing out.
Anyhow, a couple years ago we switched to mid-grey hose and light grey shirts and the intensity of the tartan was diminished. It seems that a section of the tartan which is made up of several colours, all of which are seen to good effect with the white hose, at distance just blend into a muddy grey zone with the grey hose.

Here's Isle of Skye worn with black hose... notice how all the lovely colours of the tartan are seen to good effect:

Here's a band using Lovat Green hose.

To my eye, in the lower photo the tartan, the bandsmen's lower legs, and the overall look of the band look visually weaker. Though, the effect is subtle. With our band the effect is much stronger; I'll try to find photos.

**longhuntr74** · 15th January 10, 07:51 AM

Overly green? Here's an example...maybe you like the look, perhaps not. I think it was ok. Green shirt, Young Kilt (mainly green), and bottle green hose.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...x.html?t=56064

**ForresterModern** · 15th January 10, 10:05 AM

IoS with purple:

IoS with stone/tan:

**Tobus** · 15th January 10, 10:24 AM

To my eye, in the lower photo the tartan, the bandsmen's lower legs, and the overall look of the band look visually weaker.

When I look at the two photos, to me the tartan seems to stand out better in the second photo with the Lovat Green hose.

Of course, this could be the result of more direct light on the tartan itself, or perhaps a slightly different shade of dyes used between the two sets of kilts. I dunno. A side-by-side comparison would settle it. But I do have to say, from the photos you posted, the second seems to accentuate the IoS tartan better to my eye. The lighter hose seem to make the purple jump out more.

**denmcdough** · 15th January 10, 11:10 AM

Hey, everyone who poseted to this therad or sent pics....thanks! I'm lovin' all the suggestions, especially the nice photos. But, it seems that everyone has their opinions. Such is life!

As for the IoS kilt.... I'm liking the black, purple, bottle green, and lovat green. The brown and lighter brown, cream if you will, does not appeal to my eye. Although, McMurdo sure looks sharp in the one photo with brown hose.

As for the Irish National, I like the idea of yellow hose with bottle green flashes, or bottle hose with yellow flashes. That will be my next choice. Someone suggested maroon. Hmm, I can't see it. What say you to maroon with the Irish National????

**Jock Scot** · 15th January 10, 11:25 AM

I would not get too wound up with all this colour coding and matching up carry-on if I were you. Just grab the nearest pair of hose(as long as they are not white) put them on and get on with life.